COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS. - AS OF 21ST SEPTEMBER 2020, THE NEXT CRUISE BEING VOYAGE 15 DEPARTING ON 26TH SEPTEMBER 2020, NEW HEALTH SCREENING REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT.  ALL TRAVELLERS MUST HAVE A NEGATIVE NOSE/THROAT (NASOPHARYNGEAL) SWAB TEST WITH-IN 72 HOURS TO THE AIR DEPARTURE FROM THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, AN ADDITIONAL TEST IN THE MORNING BEFORE DEPARTURE AT THE ARANUI OFFICE IN PAPEETE, PLUS ANOTHER SELF-TEST TAKEN 4 DAYS AFTER ARRIVAL (KIT AND PROCEDURES ARE GIVEN TO VISITORS ON ARRIVAL AT PAPEETE AIRPORT).  FAILURE TO PROVIDE CORRECT DOCUMENTATION FOR THESE TESTS, OR A POSITIVE RESULT, WILL MEAN GUESTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BOARD.

 

 

Aranui means 'The Great Highway' in the Maori language, and the brand new Aranui 5 is a purpose-built part-passenger, part-freighter ships, that sail the South Seas regularly between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands.  Launched in 2015, the Arauni 5 is the 4th ship in the line (there was no Aranui 4!).  The ship is a lifeline for many of the Marquesan islands and their people, delivering essential supplies to the islands and exporting produce back to the main port in Tahiti for shipping all over the world.  Whilst doing this vital service, the ship sails to some of the most beautiful and interesting islands in the region.  To take advantage of this, the Aranui 5 can also carry around 250 cruise passengers, to visit these lovely islands.

 

The brand new Aranui 5 took over the route from the Aranui 3 in November 2015.  Built at the Weihai shipyard in China, the Aranui 5 is 126m/413ft long, 22m/72ft wide, weighs in at 3,200 tons unladen and has been specifically designed to operate this route.  As with the Aranui 3, the front of the ship will be the cargo area, and the vastly improved and increased passenger cabins and social areas will be at the rear.  She has a cruising speed of 15 knots and can carry up to 254 passengers, staying in a range of 103 cabins, including 1 Presidential Suite, 8 Royal Suites, 21 Premier Balcony Suites, 2 Junior Suites without balcony, 24 Superior Deluxe Balcony Staterooms, 7 Deluxe Outside Stateroom, 40 Standard Staterooms, and 4 C Class dormitory-style cabins, each with 4 bunks, plus 1 dormitory with 8 bunks, (Dormitory cabins will share bathroom facilities).  The public areas have been upgraded, too, with a fitness room, massage room/Spa , video/computor room, a spacious restaurant, 4 bars, including a Skybar on the top deck, several lounge areas, library, shopping area, 2 conference rooms, and a swimming pool and jacuzzi on the sundeck.

 

The Standard Staterooms offer 1 King or 2 twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower, desk and chair, chest of drawers, wardrobe, in-room safe, air conditioning and some Staterooms may also have a small balcony. The Deluxe cabins have the same amenities as the Standard Staterooms, but also have a small balcony, a small fridge, hairdryer and are slightly larger.  The Superior Deluxe Cabins are larger than the Deluxe and have a sitting area with chairs and coffee table.  The 2 Junior Suites have no balcony or large windown due to superstructure location, but are larger than the Deluxe cabins and offer a sofabed in the sitting area.   The Premium Suites offer spacious cabins with a divided sleeping area with double or twin beds and sitting area with sofa and 2 chairs and sliding patio doors to a private balcony.  The Royal Suites are very spacious and larger than the Premium Suites, though they do have similar amenities and layout.  The Presidential Suite is huge with a separate bedroom and living room, 2 TV's walk-in wardrobe, 2 ensuite shower rooms, fridge, mini bar and wet bar area, and liding doors to a large furnished balcony.

 

The 2 lower Decks, Deck 2 and Main Deck, house the Staterooms and no other public areas.  The upper deck has the C class cabins, 2 Deluxe Suites and the main dining room and restaurant. The Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner each day when you are onboard and offers a varied selection of menu, with a French/Polynesian feel.  Meals are informal and usually everyone dines at the same time, unless the ship is totally full, when they may have two sittings.  The Boat Deck has the main lounge  and conference room plus 12 Staterooms and 2 Royal Suites.  The Verandah Deck has another bar and lounge, the 2 Junior Suites, 10 Premium Suites and 2 Royal Suites.  The Pool deck has the swimming pool, jacuzzi and terrace, 3 Deluxe Suites, 11 Premium Suites and 2 Royal Suites.  The Sun deck has a terrace overlooking the pool, 2 Deluxe, 12 Superior and 2 Royal Suites.  The top deck, the Sky Bar Deck, houses the Sky Bar and lounge, 2 Deluxe, 9 Superior and the Presidential Suite

 

There is also a smaller lounge and bar, a video/entertainment room, reception area, fitness room with ocean view, and facilities for fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and cultural activities such as palm leaf hat weaving, pareo wearing lessons and informational and cultural lectures and talks.

 

The sailing dates, the days of leaving and docking back in Tahiti are as follows.  The ship is scheduled to sail at 10.30am and dock back at 9.30am (timings subject to change):

 

ARANUI 5 SAILINGS FOR 2020-

Voyage 1 - Voyage 2 - Voyage 3 - Voyage 4 - Voyage 5 - Voyage 6 - Voyage 7 - Voyage 8 - Voyage 9 - Voyage 10 -

06 February - 18 February 2020     . 22 February - 05 March 2020 12 March - 24 March 2020 28 March - 09 April 2020 11 April - 23 April 2020 30 April - 12 May 2020 16 May - 28 May 2020 04 Jun - 16 June 2020 20 June - 02 July 2020 09 July - 21 July 2020

Voyage 11 - Voyage 12 - Voyage 13 - Voyage 14 - Voyage 15 - Voyage 16 - Voyage 17 - Voyage 18 - Voyage 19 - Voyage 20 -

25 July - 06 August 2020 08 August - 20 August 22 August - 03 September 10 September - 22 September 2020 26 September - 08 October 2020 15 October - 27 October 2020 31 October - 12 November 2020 14 November - 26 November 2020 28 November - 10 december 2020 17 December - 29 December 2020

Please note - Voyage 5 is the special Discovery Pitcairn Cruise which is completely sold out.

 

ARANUI 5 SAILINGS FOR 2021

Voyage 1 - Voyage 2 - Voyage 3 - Voyage 4 - Voyage 5 - Voyage 6 - Voyage 7 - Voyage 8 - Voyage 9 - Voyage 10 - .

09 January - 21 January 2021        . 28 January - 09 February 2021 13 February - 25 February 2021 04 March - 16 March 2021 20 March - 01 April 2021 08 April - 20 April 2021 24 April - 06 May 2021 08 May - 19 May 2021 22 May - 03 June 2021 10 June - 26 June 2021 .

Voyage 11 - Voyage 12 - Voyage 13 - Voyage 14 - Voyage 15 - Voyage 16 - Voyage 17 - Voyage 18 - Voyage 19 - Voyage 20 - Voyage 21 -

26 June - 08 July 2021 15 July - 27 July 2021 05 August - 17 August 2021 21 August - 02 September 2021 04 September - 16 September 2021 18 September - 30 September 2021 07 October - 19 October 2021 23 October - 04 November 2021 06 November - 18 November 2021 27 November - 09 December 2021 16 December - 28 December 2021

 

Please note : some cruises will differ from the normal routes for special specific itineraries -

Voyage 1 is a Discovery Tour to the Gambier and Pitcairn Islands

Voyage 8 is a Discovery Tour of the Society and Tuamotu islands

Voyage 15 is a Discovery Tour of the Austral and Cook Islands

Voyage 21 is over Christmas and will take in the Festival of Art in Fatu Hiva

 

Click HERE to visit the Aranui 5 own website

Click here to visit the Aranui 5 official photo gallery

 

The Aranui 5 offers a 13-day/12-night, 800-mile cruise, stopping off at 8 different islands, with 2 stops at Ua Poa, Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa.  Each cruise is the same itinerary, other than the Discovery Cruises, which have a specific, different itinerary) as this is governed by the schedule required by port restrictions, and for the freight delivery and pick-up.  Some islands offer a stop of a few hours and others can be a whole day.  The full itinerary is laid out below (subject to change without notice), and islands visited may change days around depending on Saturday or Thursday departure:

• Day 1. Departure from Papeete dock at 10:30am
• Day 2. Fakarava, the first stop, is an atoll in the Tuamotus. You can swim and snorkel in the lagoon and watch the colourful tropical lagoon fish. The entire morning will be spent on shore. a Picnic will be served on the beach the ship is board at 3.30pm then set sail for the Marquesas.
• Day 3. Today is spent at sea, so you can relax with a book on one of the sun decks, swim in the small pool or enjoy the immense South Pacific. Balmy evenings mean reading or catching a movie in lounge/library, chatting with an authority on Marquesan culture or archaeology, or socializing on the upstairs deck/bar with your fellow adventurers.  The friendly Polynesian crew treat you like welcomed guests and proudly introduce you to their rich culture, almost every night singing Polynesian songs on their ukuleles.
• Day 4. We sail on to Nuku Hiva and into Tapivai's spectacular bay; a giant volcanic amphitheater dominated by towering cliffs streaked with waterfalls. As the Aranui unloads, you can explore Taipivai, the tiny beachside town. Explore by 4WD jeep along winding dirt mountain roads to the village of Hatiheu to visit an archeological site. We'll have lunch at Yvonne's Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the Marquesas, where the specialty is pig baked in an underground oven. You'll meet the owner-chef, Yvonne, who also happens to be the town's energetic mayor. After lunch, we will travel to the valley of Taipivai. The area is dotted with stone tiki gods and sacred ritual sites (me'ae) and immense stone platforms (paepae) where the Taipi built their houses. Enigmatic petroglyphs of birds, sacred turtles and fish are carved on huge boulders. The Aranui's whaleboats will sail down the river to return you to the Aranui 5, and is anchored in Tapivai bay.
• Day 5. This morning, from your windows or the deck, you'll see the soaring mountain spires of Ua Pou. Whenever the Aranui stops, villagers greet it. As the crew unload supplies - from cements to sugar - and load sacks of copra (dried coconut meat), you'll explore the tiny town of Hakahau with its church with a hand-carved wooden dais. You can meet some talented woodcarvers and hike up a hill for a breathtaking view of the distant cloud-covered mountains. At Rosalie's Restaurant, you'll taste your first Marquesan lunch: breadfruit, a marquesan staple, along with curried goat, barbecued rock lobster, poisson cru (raw fish marinated in lime juice and soaked in coconut milk ), taro and sweet red bananas.
• Day 6. Today the ship arrives at Vaitaho on Tahuata Island for a few hours then on to Hiva Oa. On Tahuata Island a beautiful leaf-shaped island, the air is thick with fragrant scent of tiare, frangipani and history. Tahuata is the site of the first French settlement in the Marquesas in 1842. The huge church built by the Vatican, is decorated with beautiful Marquesan carvings. We'll picnic in the Valley of Hapatoni and swim and snorkel at a nearby beach, before returning to the ship for Lunch.  The ship moves on to Hiva Oa where you will have plenty of time to explore Atuona, the second largest village in Marquesas. This is where Paul Gauguin lived and did some of his best work. You can visit the colonial store where Gauguin shopped and go into a replica of the Impressionist's infamous "House of Pleasure." As you walk up the hill to the cemetery, you'll have sweeping views of the harbor. Beneath a huge frangipani tree is a tombstone with the simple words: Paul Gauguin 1903. Nearby is the grave of another famous European who also was seduced by Hiva Oa: Belgian singer-composer Jacques Brel, who died in 1978. You'll also enjoy another lavish Marquesan lunch at Hoa Nui Restaurant, before returning back to the ship later in the day.
• Day 7. Today it's back to the other side of Hiva Oa island.  You'll travel by foot or by 4WD jeep to the most important archeological sites for tikis (ancient, human-like religious sculptures) other than Easter Island. Our trained guides will show you these mysterious jungle ruins of Puamau and tell the stories of these haunting statues of an ancient civilization.  Later this same day you make a stop at Kokuu on Tahuata Island, for another few hours of wandering around the local village and beach.
• Day 8. Fatu Hiva is the most lush and remote island of the Marquesas. It's also a center of Marquesan crafts. As our guides lead you through the village of Omoa, you'll see women hammering mulberry, banyan or breadfruit bark on logs. They dry it and then paint ancient Marquesan designs on their famous tapa cloth. Fatu Hiva is also well-known for its hand-painted pareus (sarongs) and monoi, a perfumed coconut oil scented with tiare blossoms and sandalwood. Skilled woodcarvers will invite you into their home/studios to show off their wares.  Most of the time, Aranui 5 Passengers are the only outside visitors to this remote island, bar the odd private yacht sailing by!
• Day 9. The ship will anchor at the smallest island of Ua Huka today, where you will have plenty of time to wander the villages and enjoy the beach and maybe a little snorkelling.  We'll visit a museum with exquisite replicas of Marquesan art. Some Aranui passengers will explore the island by four-wheel drive; others will ride the Marquesan horses. For three hours, we will explore the mountain landscape with heart-stopping views of the Pacific. The wild horses (brought from Chile in 1856) thrive here, outnumbering the islands 476 residents. We'll have a Marquesan lunch at local restaurant and have plenty of time to visit studios of woodcarvers. We'll visit the arboretum and the garden of fruits and flower. Back on the Aranui, it's Polynesian night with dancing and buffet dinner on the decks.
• Day 10. At sea.  Time to relax, catch up with your book, your tan or swop photos and talk about your amazing trip with the other passengers.
• Day 11.  On lovely Rangiroa, the largest atoll in the world, you'll picnic on coral beach. Aranui passengers can swim and snorkel in a translucent lagoon. Excellent snorkeling and scuba diving are available for people of all levels. Rangiroa is an underwater jewel box with stunning colors of corals and clouds of tropical fishes. You'll have the opportunity to purchase black pearls from local black pearl farms and learn about the pearl farming.
• Day 12. Today the ship will stop at the beautiful atolls of Bora Bora, on the way back to Papeete.  See the stunning lagoon and the towering Mt. Otumanu.  Swim in the crystal clear waters or visit some of the fabulous Resorts that call this beautiful island home.  Then back on board that evening for your final sail back to Papeete.
• Day 13. Arrive back in Papeete around 7.00-9.00am.

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